Health Tip: Stay Awake Behind the Wheel
People who work the third shift, drive great distances each day, and those who don't get enough sleep or take sedating medications are at greatest risk of drowsy driving.
But everyone is at risk of being impaired behind the wheel because they're too tired. The National Safety Council offers these suggestions to prevent drowsy driving:
* Get plenty of sleep before you head out on the road.
* If you start to feel tired, go to a safe area for a quick rest. But don't pull over at the side of the road.
* Try not to drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
* For long trips, start driving early in the morning, and plan to switch off driving with a buddy.
* Keep the temperature inside the car cool and comfortable.
* Take a quick break every 100 miles or so to have a snack, get some fresh air or just to stretch your legs.
Health Tip: Bottled or Tap?
Depending on where you live, the water that comes from your tap can be just as safe as bottled water.
But in some people, common pollutants found in tap water can pose a greater health hazard. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers this list:
* People with a weakened immune system.
* People with HIV/AIDS.
* People who take steroids.
* People who are being treated for cancer.
Young children are at greater risk of harm from lead that's found in older pipes. To avoid this hazard, use only the cold tap for drinking water, and let it run for a minute if you haven't used the tap in more than six hours.
On the other hand, children will benefit from the cavity-fighting fluoride found in public tap water. Most bottled waters do not contain fluoride.
No comments:
Post a Comment